Texans’ Smith questions New England after loss

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston defensive end Antonio Smith questioned how New England knew what the Texans were going to do on defense after a 34-31 win by the Patriots on Sunday.

Smith told reporters after the game Houston had some new wrinkles in its defense this week and it was "miraculous" how the Patriots changed their offense to key on the defense.

"Either teams are spying on us or scouting us," he said. "I don't know what it is."

The NFL fined New England coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 and took away a first-round pick in the 2008 draft for videotaping New York Jets signals during a game on Sept. 9, 2007. Belichick said he thought that was allowed and apologized for what he said was a mistake in his interpretation of the rule prohibiting it. The loss extended Houston's franchise-record skid to 10 games. The Texans were up 17-7 at halftime before New England rallied for the win.

"They changed it up in a way to where (there was) indecision in calling the defense," Smith said of the Patriots. "It was kind of fishy."

The gregarious Smith then started joking and compared himself to Nostradamus before continuing.

"You would have to be a descendant of Tonestradamus (sic) to know what we put in this week to be able to change that fast," he said.

Despite having the worst record in the AFC, Houston's defense entered the game allowing the fewest yards in the NFL.